A woman has been shot and killed by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer during a major enforcement operation in Minneapolis, sparking protests and allegations of violence from both sides.
Details of the Minneapolis ICE Operation
The incident occurred on Wednesday 7 January 2026. According to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the shooting took place during what it described as the largest immigration enforcement operation ever carried out by the agency in Minnesota. Around 2,000 federal agents and officers were deployed to the Minneapolis area for a crackdown partly linked to fraud allegations involving Somali residents.
DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin stated that ICE officers were conducting "targeted operations" when they were blocked by what she termed "rioters". McLaughlin alleged that "one of these violent rioters weaponised her vehicle, attempting to run over our law enforcement officers in an attempt to kill them—an act of domestic terrorism."
The Shooting and Official Response
In response to the perceived threat, an ICE officer fired what the agency called "defensive shots." McLaughlin explained that the officer, "fearing for his life, the lives of his fellow law enforcement and the safety of the public", used his training. The woman driving the vehicle was hit and later pronounced deceased.
The DHS confirmed that several ICE officers were injured during the confrontation but are expected to make full recoveries. The agency has firmly defended the officer's actions, stating he "saved his own life and that of his fellow officers."
Aftermath and Community Reaction
The shooting prompted an immediate and angry response from the local community. A large group of protesters gathered at the scene, expressing fury at the officers' actions. Reports and images from the scene depicted protesters attempting to block vehicles from leaving and federal agents using pepper spray to disperse crowds.
This fatal incident marks a significant and violent escalation in the context of US immigration enforcement operations, highlighting the intense tensions surrounding such crackdowns. The operation, which remains ongoing, continues to draw scrutiny and condemnation from activist groups.
